SOP-28: Referral Program Protocol

The AutomationSurgeon's Client & Partnership Referral System


Version	1.0
Owner	Founder
Trigger	A client expresses satisfaction; a partner is identified; post-project follow-up.
Purpose	To establish a formal, generous, and simple referral program that generates a consistent stream of high-quality, warm leads by incentivizing existing clients and partners.

1. Program Philosophy & Goals

Philosophy: The program is framed as "Refer a colleague to work directly with Anton." When a client or partner refers a new patient, they are vouching for Anton's expertise and the direct value of his services in delivering revenue-generating systems and competitive advantages. This professional courtesy is recognized and rewarded with a transparent, high-value incentive.
Model: A simple and powerful "Give 10%, Get 15%" model.
Founder Value: Referrals gain special value because they offer direct access to the founder's expertise and personal attention.
Goal: To make referrals a primary channel for new client acquisition, targeting 30%+ of new business as outlined in SOP-16_Client_Acquisition_Strategy.md.

Eligibility: The program is open to all past and current clients in good standing, as well as approved strategic partners.
Reward: A cash payment of 15% of the referred client's first project value.
Example: A referral resulting in a "Standard Treatment Plan" ($1,299) earns the referrer a $195 cash reward.
Rationale: A significant cash incentive is a powerful motivator for B2B referrals. Framing it as a "Consultation Fee" maintains the professional branding of AutomationSurgeon.

Reward: A 10% discount on their first AutomationSurgeon service.
Example: A new client referred to us receives an immediate $130 discount on a "Standard Treatment Plan."
Rationale: This provides a tangible, immediate benefit to the new client, making their decision to sign up easier and reflecting positively on the person who referred them.

The process is designed for simplicity and transparency to encourage participation.

Step 1: The Introduction.
- The existing client or partner (the "Referrer") makes a direct email introduction, connecting the potential new client to anton@automationsurgeon.com or makes a warm introduction directly to Anton.
- A brief, positive mention of their experience working with Anton is encouraged to warm the lead.
Step 2: Tracking & Confirmation.
- Anton logs the referral in the CRM, linking the new lead to the referrer.
- A personal confirmation email is sent from Anton to the referrer, acknowledging their introduction and confirming next steps.
Step 3: The Diagnostic & Proposal.
- The new lead proceeds through the standard diagnostic process as defined in SOP-02.
- The 10% "Welcome Gift" discount is clearly noted on the proposal sent to the new client.
Step 4: Payout.
- Trigger: The new referred client signs their contract and pays their 50% deposit.
- Action: The referrer is immediately contacted to arrange their 15% cash payout via their preferred method (e.g., bank transfer, PayPal).

The referral program will be integrated into existing client communication touchpoints:

Post-Project Follow-up: The program will be mentioned in the "Day 14 Final Support Check-in" email, as detailed in SOP-03.
Ongoing Client Relationships: The program will be discussed during quarterly business reviews with retainer clients, as per SOP-09.
Direct Inquiry: A simple, non-public page on the website will detail the program, ready to be shared with clients who inquire directly.

CRM: A dedicated section or tag system in the CRM will be used to track all referral activity, including:
- Referrer Name
- Referred Client Name
- Project Value
- Referral Fee Amount
- Payout Status (Pending/Paid)
Automation: An n8n workflow will be created to automate the tracking and payout notification process, ensuring no successful referral is missed.